Knitting-machine.



No. 68|,.209.Y Patented Aug.' 27, |90I.

E, J. FRANCK.

KNITTING MACHINE.

4 l (Application Bled Oct. 18, 1900.? `(No lodsl.) 4 shunts-Shoot I.

. rm: wams Persa: co., Nom-umaMAsnmn'l-onlp. n

` no. 681,209. Patenten Aug. `27, 190|.

E. J. FRANCK.

`KNITTIINIG MACHINE.

(Application led Det. 16,119002) A (un raquel.) 4 sheets-sheet 2 no.ls|,'2o9. Patented Aug. 27, 19m.

E. J. FRANCK. KNITTING MACHINE.

(Application led Oct. 16, 1900.)

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Np..63|,`2o9. Patented Aug. 27, lam.

` E. J. FRANCK.

KNITTING MACHINE.

` (Application led Oct. 16, 1900.) f (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheetf i SWW? L 1... J

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. van@ .NITED STATES To` ali" whom it may con/cern,.- Beit known that I, EMIL J. FRANCK, a citidale,Delaware county,Pennsylvania, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Knitting-Machines, of which the following is a specification. l f

One object of the present invention is to providedurable, efficient, and reliable mechanism adapted to accomplish the production l `of high-splicedheels, spliced i toes, and double soles, vor any or all of these.` i Another object of the invention is to prol p tect the end of the splicing-thread from wear. fr 5 Other objects of the `invention are hereinafter set forth, as well as its characteristics v and scope,which are pointed outinthe claims. In the drawings, Figure 1 is a top or plan View f portions of a knitting-machine embodying orcontaining featuresof the inven-4 rtion. Fig. 2 is a side elevational View, of the same. Fig. 3 is a sectional view, drawn to an 1 enlarged scale and illustratingthe upper por- .p tion `of the head, showing double-sole and "high-splicing mechanism embodying features i `ot' the invention. Fig. 4 is a detached view tioned mechanism into and out of action. y: Figs. 5 and 6 are respectively a plan and a sectional 'View of parts offth'ismechanism lwhich puts in the double sole and high-spliced heel. Figs. 7 and 8 are diagrammatic plan views, the former showing the `double-sole mechanismout of action and the latter showing it in action. Fig. 9 isa top or plan view` showing the circular and -eccentric paths v which control the position of the mechanism `last referred to. Fig. 10 is a view, partly the yarn-locker and constituting anend View looking toward the left ofthe mechanism i shown at the top of Fig.h 2. Figs.`11, 12, land 13` are respectively sectional plan, side,

and end views showing the cutting mech- `anism and yarn-guides which form part of the highfsplicingmechanism. Fig. llt is a sectional view `drawn to `an enlarged scale t and illustrating the concentric yarn or guide tubes. Figs. land 16 are views ofthe splicenthread tubes, and Figs. 17 and 18 are `views of the main-thread tubes. s

In the drawings the various parts constil zen ofthe United States, residing at Colling-` illustrating means for bringing the last-men' `in elevation and partly inV section, showing EMIL J. FRANCK, or ooLLiNeDALE, PENNSYLVANIA.

KNITTlNGi-h/LliCl-lINE.`

SHEEQIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 681,209, dated August 2,7, 1901. Appncanmla 00am 16,1900. serial No. 33,409. A (no model.)

l tuting the invention are shown in application to a machine in which the needles are operated in groups, each group containing substantially one-half of allthe needles. In Fig. 8 the group 1 of needles may be designated the instep-needles, and 2 indicates the other` groupl of needles. The machine shown is provided with a pattern-chain 3 and with a pattern-drum 4f, which are `.suitably rotated and arranged to cause the various parts of the machine to produce both tubular and fashion work, as required. There is also a lever 5, which is suitably shifted and which takes part in the accomplishment of these functions. means of projections, as x, upon the walls of a groove in or on a part carried by the drum.

Having thus indicated certain parts which will enter into the description of the invention, I willnow proceed with the latter.

6 is a carrier for what I shall callthe sole and high-spliced heel thread7`7 7. This carrier 6 has imparted to it a motion of rotation around the axis of the needle-cylinder as a center. As shown, this thread-carrier 6 as well as its bobbin 8 and thread-guide a, are mounted upon the sinker-cam`9. `The carrier 6 has also imparted to it motionin respect to its fulcrum 10. The inner end of the part 6, which guides the thread, may` travel a circular path 11, Fig. 7, which` lies inside of the circle of needles (indicated by 12 in said ngnre) or it may travel a circular path (indicated by 13, Fig. S) which lies eccentrically in respect to the circle of needles 12. As shown in Fig. `8, the thread A7would be incorporated into the stitches formed by the needles designated 2, and it would then `pass across the knitted tube, as shown at 14. Thus the portion of the tube formed by the needles 2 would contain an extra thread, and the portions of this thread indicated'at 14 andwhich range crosswise of the interiorof the tube are cnt away. When the part 6 occupies the position shown in Fig. 7, the extra thread' is manifestly not incorporated into the work done by any of the needles.

15, Fig. 3, is a ring that serves to hold the portions la of the extra thread down. The carrier 6 may be connected with its shank in `such a .way that it can be turned up, for example, to thread it. As shown in Figs and This lever 5 is shifted by l IOO 35 p 2, and mounted to slide on a `bracket 28, iit- .6, this is accomplished by means of the nut,

19, and there is a spring 20, which serves to.

oppose centrifugal force and prevent such movements of the carrier 6 as might be caused thereby. The arm' 18 is equipped with a stud 21, upon which is mounted a roller 22, Fig. 3. This roller 22 is free to rotate as well as to slide up and down on the stud 21. There'are provided on the head of the machine two paths 23 and 24, constructed and arranged in such a way that when the roller 22 is travelingon one of them, 24, the extra threadis not being inserted and the thread-carrier 6 is traversing the path indicated in Fig. 7, and when the roller 22 is traversingthe path 23 thethread-carrier 6 is traversing the course indicated sin Fig. 8 `and the extra threadis being inserted. As shown, the path 24 is circular and is arranged concentrically in respect tothe .needle-head, and thepath 23 is also circular, but is arranged eccentrically in respect to the needle-head. The path 24 is slightly concave, so as to :prevent accidental displacement ofthe roller 22, and ator near the point ,where the roller 22 is transferred frornone path to the other the paths are substantially coincident, as shown in Fig. 4 and at .the upper portions of Figs. 7 and 8. The roller 2.2 is shifted from one to the other of the paths 23 and 24 by means of `a shipper 25,-

which lis equipped with arms 26k and 27, F-ig.

'tedtofthe machine, Fig. 4. This shipper is normally solicited by a spring 29 downward into position for bringing the roller 22 onto' the,eccen tric Vpath 23. There is a lever of which one arm 30 serves to lift the shipper, as shown, by operating upon the head of an adjustable screw, and there is a bolt 31, which serves to llook the. shipper ,in 4elevated position.

32 is `an adjustable back-stop for the shipper. The arm 33 is shifted byone arm 3.4 ofa bell-crank lever, Which in its turn is actuated through a link 35, connected with the lever `5. The holt 3l. is vactuated through a rocker-arm 36, link 37, and lbell-crank 38,

which responds to the pattern-chain A further description of the mode of operation ofthis portion of the mechanism willbe given in connection .with the description of the operation of the complete machine. However,

l willstate that the described mechanism puts in the extra thread in the sole and high-heel portion or, in lother words, in the tubular portions of the work, and I will ,now proceed to describe ,mechanism which puts an extra thread in the heel and toe o'r, in other Words, in the fashion portion of the Work.

- 40 is a take-up arm suitably supported above the machine by means of a bracket 41.

Thistake-up arm is swung about its pivot by ineansof a link 42, connected with the arm cetacei 43 of the bell-crank. The take-up arm 40 is provided with an eye 44 for theextra thread and also with a spring-tension arm 45 for the main thread. 46 is a guide for this tensionarm, and 47 is a yarn-locker. There are two concentric tubes, of which t-he outer one, 48, stands still andof which the lnner one, 49, is movable upward and downward. Forthis purpose it is connected by means of a link 50 with the take-up arm 40. Generally speaking and with reference to Fig. 14, the eXtra thread penetrates an `eye 51 in the tube y48 and then travels down between the tubes 48 and 49, one portion of the outsidefof the tube 49 being fiattened throughout its entire length, as shown at 52, for that purpose. The main thread passes through a long slot 53, which extends through the top of the inner tube `49 and then through the inner tube and out-at its lower end to the ordinarythrea'dguide 54 of the machine.

55, Figs. 12 and 13, is a knife which serves to sever the extra thread, and 56 `is a leather or similarly-faced springfactuated holder or collar which holds the severed end `of the thread upon the knife. To accommodate the knife, the lower end of the inner tube 49 is offset, as at 57, and the tube 48 1s slotted at 58 Fig. 13. The knife is carried by a tappet-rod 59, which is operated'byatappet-armGO, connected with the take-up arm 40. When the tube 49 is in elevated position, the main thread passes through the bottom of the slot 53 and out at the lower end of this tube 49. It therefore traverses nearly the whole 'length of theftube 48 in company with the extra thread, which is no longer separated from it, because the tube49 has been practically `withdrawn from the tube 48. The withdrawal of the knife 55 releases the extra thread, and it is free to join and travel with the main thread. When the tube 49 vis in its lowest position, the extra thread isJoutside of it for substantially thewhole of its length, and'the main thread enters the top of the slot 53 and runs through the inner tube 49 for substantially the whole of its length, so that the threads are separated by the wall 52 and 57, and

\ therefore are not rubbed together, so that the extra threadis not worn out.

The mode of operation of the described machine may beexplained in connection with theproduction of a stocking, as follows: The main thread, through the ordinary operation of the thread-guide'54 and the needles and `the various cooperating `part-s and driving mechanism, is fabricated into a tubular web, which forms the leg portionof the stocking. During this time the roller 22 runs on the concentric path 24` the shipper is held in elevated position by the bolt 31, and the take-up arrn 40.0ccupies the position shown in Fig. 2 and its extra `thread is held at its end by the knife 55. As the stocking approaches the heel portion andis completed downto the point Where the high splice for the heel is to IOO IIO

occur a suitable projection on the patternchain 3 actuates the parts 38, 37, and 35 in such a Way that the bolt 3l is withdrawn, thus permitting the spring 29 to drop the shipper downward, so that the arms 26 and 27 solicit the roller 22 onto the eccentric path 23,

and under these circumstances the threadcarrier 6 lays in the extra thread in the mantion of an appropriate number of courses. In this way the high-spliced heel itself is made. Upon its completion the various parts of the machine are shifted so as to fashion what in the stocking becomes the true heel portion. The part 5 is shifted during this operation and caused to draw the arm 34 toward the left in Fig..2 and the arm 43 downward. The result of this is that the arm 30 lifts the shipper and returns the wheel 22 to its concentric path 24, itrbeing understood that the bolt 3l has been previously withdrawn by reason of the fact that the pattern-chain in its travel has permitted the parts connected with the bolt to make the movements necessary1 for this purpose. Thus the carrier 6 is thrown out of action. The movement of the arm 43 causes the arm 60 to operate on the tappetrod and shiftthe blade 55 so as to release the end of the extra thread. At the same time the take-up arm lifts the movable tube 49, thus releasing the extra thread in the manner described and permitting it to travel along with the main thread. A projection on the arm 6l frees the tension-spring and the counterweight 62 facilitates movements of these parts. The tension-spring being free performs its ordinary function, and the arm 40 in lifting carries with it the eye 44, and thus compensates for the reciprocating motion of thread-guide 54. Under the conditions last described the heel is fashioned and the extra thread is laid in by the thread-guide 54. Upon the completion of this operation the change back to circular work involves the movement of the lever 5 in reverse direction, thus shifting the arm 34 toward the left, Fig. 2, so that it clears the arm 33 and permits the arm 30 and carrier 25 to drop under the influence of the spring 29, so that the roller 22 runs onto the eccentric path 23, and thus lays its extra thread into the knitting forming the double sole. At the same time the parts connected with the arm 43 are returned to the position shown in Fig. 2, with the result that theextra thread is cut off and held separate from the main thread, as has been described. Upon the completion of the double sole fashioned work is again produced, as has been described in connection with the fashioned heel, except that the pattern-chain operates through a suitable projection on it to shift the bolt 3l into position for locking the carrier 25 in elevated position, so that it will hold the wheel 22 on the concentric path ready for the formation of another tubular kleg` portion and for the repetition of the described operation. From the foregoing description of the manufacture of a stockingit will be readily understood that the machine while well adapted for the production of such articles can nevertheless be made to produce other articles Without change other than adjustment of the time of operation of the various parts.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which my invention appertains that modifications may be :made in detail.,without departing from the spirit thereof. Hence I do notlimit myself to the precise construction and arrangement of parts hereinabove set forth, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings; but,

Having thus described Lhe nature and objects of my invention, what I claim as new,

carrier pivoted to a rotating part of the ma;

chine,a bobbin and its thread-guide applied to said moving part,a crank-arm connected with the carrier and provided with aroller, eccentric and concentric truly-circular paths or guides, and means for shifting the roller from guide to guide, substantially as described.

4. In a knitting-machine the combination of a needle-cylinder, a rotating part, a threadguide pivoted to the moving part, two guides of which each is truly circular and of which one is eccentric and the other concentric in respect to the needle-cylinder, a crank-arm connected with the pivot of the carrier, and means for causing said crank-arm to travel on one or the other of the guides, substantially as described.

5. In a knitting-machine a thread-carrier pivoted to a rotating part, two truly-circular paths or guides arranged eccentrically in respect to each other, a crank-arm connected with the carrier and provided with a roller adapted to travel on each of said paths or guides, a shipper adapted to position said roller, and means for moving the shipper, substantially as described.

6. In a knitting-machine the combination of take-up mechanism, extra-thread mechanism comprising a thread-carrier pivoted to a rotating part of the machine and paths or guides for positioning the carrier, and means for bringing one of said mechanisms into and throwing the other out of action, substantially as described.

7. In a knitting-machine nested tubes movable in respect to each other and of which one is flattened to provide a thread-space between the tubes and of which one is 1ongi- IOO tudinally slotted for the passage of a thread, substantially as described.

8. In a knitting-machine the combination of nested tubes movable in respect to each other and having a space between them and of which one is longitudinally slotted with a knife arranged to traverse the space between the tubes, substantially as described.

9. Ina knitting-machine the combination of nestedtubes having a space between them through which a thread may pass, a knife arranged to traverse said space, and a threadholding device arranged to coperate with the knife in cutting and holding a thread, substantially as described.

10. In a knitting machine nested tubes 'having a thread-space between them, a knife working in said space, a thread-holding device coperating with the knife, and a tappet rod and arm for operating the knife, substantially as described.

1l. In a knitting-machine nested tubes having a thread-space between them and of which one is slotted longitudinally and movable, a knife arranged to work in the space between the tubes, a thread-holding device coperating with the knife, a tappet-rod for the knife, and a take-up arm provided with a tappet-arm and connected with the movable tube, substantially as described.

12. In a knitting-machine a part adapted to rotate around the needles, a thread-carrier connected with said part, and means comprising two truly-circular guides arranged eccentrically in respect to each other for positioning the thread-carrier to cause it to lay its thread clear of the needles or onto some of them, substantially as described.

18. lIn a knittingmachine nested tubes through one of which the main thread may pass and between which the extra thread may be accommodated, and means for adjusting said tubes to separate said threads or permit them to travel together, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name.

EMIL J. FRANCK.

Witnesses:

K. M. GILLIGAN, W. J. JACKSON. 

